Hemodialysis nurse burnout from 31 provinces in mainland China: a cross-sectional survey (Preprint)

Abstract

Job burnout is an occupational illness with high prevalence among nurses in China. The job burnout status among hemodialysis nurses should be given more attention because of they handle sophisticated machinery, and there is a high risk of infection in hemodialysis nursing.

The level and influencing factors of job burnout among hemodialysis nurses in mainland China were investigated.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in all 31 provinces of mainland China in 2019. Data from nurses responsible for direct care in 2738 hemodialysis units were analyzed. An effective response rate of 99.00% (10570/10677) was achieved. Hemodialysis nurse burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Working atmosphere and interpersonal relationships with colleagues were each measured by a single question. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the factors related to nurse burnout. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the effect of the working environment, individual factors, and specialist nurse training on the HD nurse burnout and the intention to leave.

The total burnout score was 38.69 (SD17.47), indicating that the level of job burnout among hemodialysis nurses in mainland China was relatively low. Hemodialysis nurses experienced low-level burnout on the emotional exhaustion and depersonalization subscale and high-level burnout on the personal accomplishment subscale. Statistically significant differences in burnout levels were associated with working atmosphere, interpersonal relationships with colleagues, specialist nurse training, number of children, night shift, and marital status.

The burnout level of HD nurses in mainland China was relatively low. Working atmosphere, interpersonal relationships with colleagues, and training of specialist nurses are the most important influencing factors regarding job burnout in hemodialysis nurses. Therefore, it is suggested that improving the working atmosphere and interpersonal relationship processing ability and providing more training opportunities for nurses can alleviate job burnout in nurses.